Sanctions for you…and you…and you!

Hello readers ????

Sanctions have been hot on the US foreign policy agenda this March, following last week’s revisions to restrictive measures against Zimbabwe. This week, the US Treasury Department sanctioned 16 entities and individuals in the Horn of Africa, all accused of raising and laundering funds for al-Shabaab – a terrorist group affiliated with al-Qaeda. In the Central African Republic, a local timber company is now facing similar measures on account of alleged efforts to advance Russia’s “malign activities” in the country. These sanctions targeting external individuals or entities for their Russian-interests will also have a knock-on effect for the various African countries in which they operate. Moldovan businessman Valerii Copeichin’s company Pro Heli has up until now been pivotal in maintaining Uganda’s fleet of Russian-manufactured military aircraft, and the new sanctions may threaten Kampala’s continuing attempts to modernise its military. With Biden administration officials seemingly hyperactive as November elections approach, we can expect another sanctions salvo in the coming months.?

Keeping in America’s good books,

AP editorial team

??? VOICES OF AFRICA – WANGECI KANJAMA

In the latest episode of Voices of Africa, Africa Practice CEO, Marcus Courage, speaks with Wangeci Kanjama, Group Chief Financial Officer at SPIRO, about Africa’s e-mobility landscape. Wangeci paints a vivid picture of a prosperous Africa, driven by trade, digitalisation, and a shift towards private sector-led initiatives, highlighting how innovative entrepreneurs are driving change across critical economies. Listen to the latest episode.

?? TRUST DEFICIT DRIVES YOUTH VOTER APATHY

Over recent years, there has been a consistent decline in youth engagement in electoral processes in South Africa. Associate Consultant Nonjabulo Gumede dives into the data, assessing youth voter trends and reasons for their non-participation ahead of the country’s crucial 29 May election.

?? 302,141

Nigeria’s imports of French champagne declined from 646,036 bottles in 2022 to 302,141 bottles in 2023 – a 53.2% drop. Imports reached their lowest level in eleven years, driven by the depreciation of the naira, which significantly weakened purchasing power. Indeed, Nigeria dropped to Africa's fourth biggest champagne importer last year, behind South Africa, C?te d’Ivoire and the DRC.

???? CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Campaigning in Senegal has ramped up after the constitutional court confirmed the presidential election will be held on 24 March. The opposition coalition, led by Bassirou Diomaye Faye and backed by imprisoned PASTEF leader Ousmane Sonko, launched its platform with an ambitious manifesto. This includes pledges to work towards establishing a new currency (after a series of preparatory measures) and plans to renegotiate contracts across the mining, hydrocarbons and infrastructure sectors. While a lack of public opinion polls complicate efforts to gauge the popularity of the main candidates, President Macky Sall’s failed attempts to cling onto power have likely boosted the opposition’s prospects.

????WELCOME BACK?

The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) agreed to lift sanctions on Gabon on 9 March, six months after its membership was suspended in response to a coup d’état that removed President Ali Bongo from power. The decision made at the bloc’s temporary headquarters in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, was somewhat ironic given that President Teodoro Obiang has ruled Equatorial Guinea with an iron fist since 1979. Angola is understood to have been the main opposition to Gabon’s reintegration in ECCAS, but its eventual acquiescence indicates that the regimes have mended fences. The restoration of Gabon’s membership also enables ECCAS to return to its permanent headquarters in Libreville, while regional endorsement will lend some credibility to transitional elections promised in August 2025.?

???? SAFE SPACES

Cabinet has approved an MoU between Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy and the Israel National Cyber Directorate. The MoU, which is expected to bolster Kenya's response to cyber-threats, comes a week after the Deputy Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, Tomá? Taraba, revealed that the two countries have entered a similar agreement. Amidst a push for digitalisation of services, Kenya is enhancing its response to cybercrimes, prompted by a notable attack on its public service platform, e-Citizen, last July. Key stakeholders are nearing completion of drafting cybercrime regulations, a process that began in August 2023.

???????? BORDER WALLS

South Africa has completed more than 5km of a new border wall with Mozambique, in an attempt to deter goods smuggling, vehicle theft and irregular migrants. The project had been stalled following an investigation into irregular tenders; but the first phase of work resumed in November 2023, and now a 8km stretch near the Tembe Elephant Park in KwaZulu-Natal province, is nearing completion. There will be two more phases, totalling 17km of concrete barriers in and around conservation areas, with work set to begin in September 2024. The cost of finishing the project is estimated at ZAR 270 million (USD 14.5 million). South Africa has taken an increasingly hostile tone towards migrants from neighbouring countries in recent years, and the ruling African National Congress will likely point to its new wall in a bid to woo xenophobic voters ahead of elections in May.?

??MEDAL-ING AFFAIRS

Award-winning South Africa author Zukiswa Wanner gave up her Goethe medal on 5 March, depositing it at the German embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. She delivered an accompanying speech, explaining her decision was due to Germany’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict and its “callous[ness] to human suffering”. The Goethe Medal is the most important award of Germany’s foreign cultural policy, each year honouring three public figures from different regions of the world who have "rendered outstanding services to international cultural exchange". In 2020, Wanner became the first African woman to receive the award. Her decision exemplifies growing discontentment in the arts world towards major cultural entities’ official stances on the conflict.?

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Cameroon men’s national football team risks being suspended from the next two African Cup of Nations after an internal probe led to 62 players being suspended over administrative irregularities relating to their identities. Among the 62, and most pivotal to Cameroon’s future eligibility, is Wilfried Douala – a surprise inclusion in Cameroon’s squad for the last AFCON tournament. 17-year-old Douala’s identity was a source of controversy before the tournament after the Cameroonian FA refused to comment on an investigation claiming he had previously played under a different name and was actually over 21. AFCON regulations stipulate a two edition suspension if a team’s registrations are deemed to be fraudulent, while an “administrative error” garners a one edition suspension.

??? LSE AFRICA SUMMIT 2024

The LSE Africa Summit, one of the largest student-led conferences in Europe, will convene for its 2024 edition on 23 March, under the theme “African Minds Transforming Futures: Building Resilient Education Systems”. The event will explore the complexities of the higher educational sector in Africa, addressing challenges faced by different demographics and emphasising accessibility, inclusivity, and the global impact of educational reforms.

?? 2024 MILEAD FELLOWS PROGRAMME?

The 2024 MILEAD Fellows Programme for Young African Women Leaders works to elevate the next generation of African female leaders, equipping them with the skills and support needed to thrive in leadership roles across Africa. Applicants aged 19-25 interested in tackling issues facing women and girls in African communities are invited to apply. Deadline is 22 March.

?? BLESSINGS – CHUKWUEBUKA IBEH

The much anticipated debut of writing prodigy Chukwuebuka Ibeh was released last month to critical acclaim. Blessings tells the story of a young gay man’s coming-of-age in 2010s Nigeria, following his banishment to a Christian boarding school. An elegant and exquisitely moving story of love and loneliness, the novel asks how one can live freely when politics reaches deep into hearts and lives.?

?? LES NUBIANS – MAKEDA

This week's pick transports us to the late 90s with the French-Cameroonian sister duo, Les Nubians. “Makeda” is a soulful celebration of black womanhood, with their silky smooth vocals encouraging listeners to take ownership of their stories. In fact, “Makeda” is more than just a song; it's a timeless anthem, celebrating confidence and self-love, and making it a perfect pick for any playlist championing women voices this month.

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